Michael Loken

Domaine Puig Parahÿ Georges 2011

I was quite disappointed with this wine. It seemed to have all the ingredients for a great bottle, but something just wasn’t there. The nose had notes of dark fruits and cassis, but was too subdued. The taste had a moderate finish, but was a bit too dry; it just didn’t come together.

Pierre Laplace Madiran 2011, Ac

This wine is not suited to all tastes, but was very surprising. The flavour is tight and controlled, full of blackberries and black pepper with a dry, earthy quality to it. It is moderately dry with a long finish and paired very well with fatty foods thanks to the generous oak. A great first experience with the Tannat grape, but it does need to breathe. We opened this bottle 2 hours before drinking.

Peninsula Ridge A.J. Lepp Vineyards Reserve Merlot 2012, VQA Niagara Lakeshore

This is quite a nice wine, and was better than expected for an Ontario merlot. Fruit forward with soft tannins and a rounded mouth feel.

The Goatfather 2013, Wo Coastal Region

Nugan Estate Third Generation Chardonnay 2013, Southeastern Australia

For the price, you get a really solid, reasonably balanced chardonnay. Definitely a solid competitor at the price point.

Finca Villacreces Pruno 2013, Do Ribera Del Duero

This wine showed a lot of oak, as indicated by multiple reviews; it was smoky and meaty with notes of licorice and graphite. The wine also did show a slight mustiness which really detracted from the overall experience. Not great value here.

Tasted blind at a Beefsteak & Burgundy Club event, September 2016.

Wayne Gretzky Riesling 2014, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Chateau De Courteillac 2014

Thin, overly sweet and lacking in serious composition or elegance. After drinking a fine bottle of wine, this tastes like sweet grape juice in a bottle in comparison. I will not purchase again.

Feudi San Pio Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2013, Doc

Very earthy and quite powerfully oaked, this wine is not subtle. It is big and spicy and needs to be paired with food, as it is a bit too much on its own.

Cusumano Syrah 2014, Igt Sicilia